The Business Council supports the Bill which removes anti-competitive trading restrictions ('cabotage') and excessive red tape in the coastal trading sector. It will improve the efficiency of Australia's shipping transport sector and lift the competitiveness of Australian manufacturing (metals, food, chemicals, petroleum, etc). Including in many parts of regional Australia.

These changes are consistent with the recommendations that the Business Council made in a submission to the government's Options Paper: Approaches to regulating coastal shipping in Australia (2014) and are supported.

Recommendations

The Shipping Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 [Provisions] should be passed by the Parliament

In relation to the application of the Fair Work Act 2009, the government should:- consult further with industry and other stakeholders that have raised concerns about the proposed 183-day exemption applying to the application of the Seagoing Industry Award 2010, and - if necessary, consider amending the exemption period to strike an appropriate balance between economic efficiency and competitive neutrality and support the Bill's passage through the parliament.